Soul Griever

Solvyr continued hunting Evo Beasts, with Gilbert watching silently from a distance, ready to step in if things went wrong. After a long search, Solvyr finally spotted his next target.

"Oh, the Crimson Reaper?" Gilbert muttered, then smirked. "Well, this is interesting."

"Damn… he looks terrifying," Solvyr muttered under his breath. 'I wonder what he looked like before the dimensional rift.'

"Far from that thing," Gilbert replied, as if reading his thoughts.

The Crimson Reaper stood over four meters tall, its muscular frame covered in crimson-hued fur that darkened near its limbs. Its once-normal tail had evolved into a spiked, prehensile weapon, capable of smashing through trees and structures with ease. The kangaroo's legs, already powerful in their base form, were now enhanced with mana-infused tendons, allowing it to leap incredible distances and generate shockwaves upon landing.

Its arms, once small and weak, had fully developed, resembling those of a predatory beast. Long, clawed fingers could rip through metal and stone, while bony plating covered its forearms, serving as natural armor.

The Crimson Reaper's face was monstrous—a split maw filled with jagged fangs, capable of biting through steel. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto movement with eerie precision, and its elongated ears twitched at the slightest sound, making it nearly impossible to sneak up on.

"You seriously expect me to fight that thing?" Solvyr asked, glancing at Gilbert.

"Yeah. It's the only Evo Beast we've found so far," Gilbert replied casually.

"Damn it," Solvyr muttered, rubbing his temples. "Alright."

"Don't worry, kid. It does have a weakness," Gilbert added.

"What is it?" Solvyr asked.

"Anger issues." Gilbert's tone was completely serious.

'Wow. How useful,' Solvyr thought sarcastically.

He took a deep breath, then dropped down from the tree, landing as quietly as he could. But the Crimson Reaper noticed instantly. With a deafening roar, it lunged forward.

CLANG!

Solvyr barely deflected the attack with his master's odachi. The beast didn't relent—it attacked again and again, its claws slashing through the air, forcing Solvyr to dodge and deflect in rapid succession. The flow of battle wasn't in his favor—if this continued, Gilbert would have to step in to save him.

Realizing this, Solvyr took off, sprinting through the dense forest, his mind racing for a strategy. He leaped up into the trees, hoping to gain some distance, but the Crimson Reaper didn't stop—it punched and kicked the trees, shaking the branches violently.

That's when he remembered Gilbert's words.

"Anger issues."

A plan formed in his mind. Solvyr kept running, leaping from tree to tree, deliberately provoking the Crimson Reaper. Then, as expected, his reckless movements attracted another Evo Beast—one weaker than the last one he had fought.

The Crimson Reaper turned its rage on the newcomer, attacking it viciously. The two monsters clashed, tearing into each other. Solvyr crouched low, waiting for an opening.

Then, he saw it.

The Crimson Reaper staggered, leaving its throat exposed.

SHIIING!

Solvyr dove from above, driving his sword into the back of the beast's throat. A final gurgled roar escaped the Crimson Reaper before it collapsed, lifeless.

[You have hunted a Crimson Reaper]

{+1 Soul}

[You have hunted a Beast]

{+0.5 Soul}

Solvyr dropped to his knees, exhausted from the chase and relentless combat. As he caught his breath, the system's voice echoed in his mind.

"A soul detected."

Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the Crimson Reaper's corpse—and there, hovering above its body, was a pitch-black orb.

'Damn… so this is what a soul looks like?' Solvyr thought, staring at the eerie sphere. "Creepy." He murmured.

Then, the system spoke again.

"Do you want to devour the soul?"

Solvyr hesitated, thinking carefully. Then, he answered.

'Yes.'

…Nothing happened.

"Eat it."

'I see. So I have to manually do it, huh?'

With a sigh, he reached out, grabbed the black orb, and swallowed it whole.

At first, he felt nothing. No taste, no sensation.

Then—

His mind exploded with memories. He saw visions, felt emotions, and experienced everything the Crimson Reaper had. It was almost as if he had lived its entire life.

{Soul has been devoured}

(Requirements met)

His heart pounding, Solvyr immediately checked his system.

Name: Solvyr

Soul: 2.5

Art: None

Ability:

Soul Griever {S+++}: You can devour any living being that acknowledges the system.

Description:"There was once a Demigod, thirsty for knowledge, who merged with the Grim Reaper and devoured the souls of all living beings."